The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is working with U.S. carriers to complete new rules for unlocking cell phones, and it looks like an agreement is on the horizon.

According to Reuters, the new agreement is expected make sure that carriers notify customers about their cell phone unlocking eligibility (via text or otherwise) and also require them to process or deny unlocking requests within two business days.

Some prepaid phones could also be included in these new rules.

Unlocking a cell phone means that it can be used with any carrier, but it became illegal for consumers to do it themselves earlier this year after a ruling by the Librarian of Congress.

This means that consumers have to depend on carriers to unlock their phones, and this isn't always easy. Sometimes carriers refuse to do so because they want to lock customers into their service contracts in exchange for heavy subsidized prices on new devices. This is particularly inconvenient for consumers traveling abroad who don't want huge roaming charges, or if they simply want to change carriers.

But now, the rules are expected to allow mobile customers to unlock their phones after their contact expires. It will also bring uniformity to all U.S. carriers, so that different rules across different carriers don't become a headache.

The Reuters report mentioned that the FCC and U.S. carriers are still discussing key points before an agreement is made, such as how fast the new policy would be rolled out; how to keep unlocked phones off of black markets, and how pre-paid phones would be handled.

The agreement is expected "soon."

Just last month, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler sent a letter to Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA Wireless Association, which is a trade group that represents cellular carriers. The letter told wireless carriers to unlock consumer's cell phones once they've fulfilled contract obligations, or the FCC will be forced to regulate.

I am not sure what you are talking about here. Just looked at AT&T's site and you can buy phones outright there with no contract at all. Likewise if you have your own unlocked phone from somewhere else you can get a SIM for free if you pick a plan to use it with. Again, no contract.

Nobody is twisting your arm to accept the carrier's subsidized phones. If you have your own, use it. If you don't they will be more than happy to sell you one for full price.

HOWEVER if you insist on getting a discounted (subsidized) phone from, you can. You just have to realize there is no such thing a free lunch. They will make sure you pay off that discount as part of your monthly payments. Carriers are not in the business to give away very expensive pieces of equipment for free.

1. Even after you are off the contract they do not lower the monthly bill .2. Even if you have a phone of your own , you are paying the exact same rate a person who is buying a subsidized phone ( at least on AT&T ).

AT&T recently started offering a $15/mo "discount" for off-contract plans. In other words, if you've paid off the phone at the end of a 2yr contact, or are on their "Next" plans, where you're financing the phone separately, your plan is $15/mo less. A store rep also verified that if you bring your own device, it's $15/mo less as well.

I have to believe that this is at least partially in response to T-Mobile's "Un-Carrier" campaign